There has been one ace recorded at the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn.

Player

Hole

Year

Gil Morgan

No. 9

2005

2007 Rankings

Most Difficult Hole

The par-4 11th Tree-lined from tee to green and flowing naturally with the terrain, the 11th hole is notable for its attractive setting, but golfers should not let the aesthetic pleasures block out the golfing challenge. Long hitters may want to carry the bunkers along the left side, but the smart players will eventually discover that a well-struck tee shot up the right side will produce the same results. The green is bisected by a deep swale and an accurate approach shot will be critical for par.2007: 0 eagles, 17 birdies, 142 pars, 63 bogeys, 12 double bogeys, 0 others

Easiest hole in 2007

The par-5 18th The home hole is a stern test that demands you finish your round with a series of strong shots. Uphill from tee-to-green, the hole finishes dramatically in front of the majestic clubhouse for all to see. Two straightforward shots position you for a short iron approach to a well-guarded green. Err on the long side and your mistake is easily rectified. Miss short in the deep bunkers fronting the green and par from this position will be well earned.2007: 10 eagles, 124 birdies, 92 pars, 8 bogeys, 0 double bogeys, 0 others

Rock Barn (Jones)

2007 rankings

Last 5 years

Hole

Par

Yards

Avg. Score

Rank

Avg. Score

Rank

1

4

436

4.004

10

3.986

10

2

4

476

4.226

3

4.150

4

3

3

187

3.081

7

2.998

8

4

5

568

4.872

12

4.910

13

5

4

415

4.051

9

3.992

9

6

4

451

4.192

4

4.164

3

7

5

507

4.611

17

4.664

17

8

4

335

3.752

16

3.834

16

9

3

197

3.132

5

3.122

5

10

4

431

4.068

8

4.047

7

11

4

451

4.299

1

4.257

1

12

4

375

3.936

11

3.984

11

13

4

433

4.103

6

4.110

6

14

5

573

4.816

15

4.876

15

15

3

150

2.842

14

2.886

14

16

4

389

3.855

13

3.912

12

17

3

190

3.278

2

3.187

2

18

5

526

4.419

18

4.620

18

NOTES: The par-4, 451-yard 11th hole was the 37th hardest hole on the Champions Tour in 2007.• Last season, the par-3, 190-yard 17th hole was the 10th hardest par 3 on the Champions Tour.• The Champions Tour pros went low in Hickory in 2007, averaging 35.921 strokes on the front nine and 35.616 strokes on the back. On the par-72 course, where each nine is 36 strokes, that meant they averaged 0.463 strokes below par for three days over all 18 holes.

Course origins

Rock Barn Golf & Spa has the first Robert Trent Jones Jr. course in North Carolina. In addition to the Jones course, it also has a Tom Jackson course and a 20,000 square-foot spa.

The name comes from a local landmark which still stands just east of the property and was built in the 1700s. Rock Barn opened in 1969 and the Jones course opened in 2002. The Jones course was voted the Best New Course in N.C. in 2003.